Bachelor's in Communication & Multimedia Design

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

Program Overview

The Communication & Multimedia Design programme prepares you to become a skilled multimedia specialist who can tackle real-world design challenges across graphic design, app development, film, gaming, and virtual reality. You'll work on industry-set projects from day one, building a professional portfolio while gaining hands-on experience with state-of-the-art tools and learning how to develop your own creative voice in an increasingly digital world.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Exploring Your Foundation

Your first year is deliberately broad, designed to help you discover your talents and interests across the creative disciplines. You'll explore core areas including storytelling, photography, sound design, game design, graphic design, motion design, film & video, illustration, web/app design, and 3D modelling through challenges, workshops, and real-life assignments. This hands-on approach means you're not just learning theory—you're consulting with lecturers about what you want to specialize in and discovering which creative areas truly excite you.

Year 2 & 3: Specialization and Depth

As you progress, you'll broaden your horizon or deepen your skills by specializing in your chosen creative disciplines through selected studios like Web and App Design, Visual Design, Game Development, 3D, Music & Sound, Film, and Photography. You have the flexibility to choose a minor specialization—whether that's studying abroad or focusing on a specific area—giving you control over your learning path. By year 3, you'll be refining your professional identity and building toward your graduation project.

Graduation Phase: Your Portfolio Showcase

Over a five-month period, you'll develop a capstone product that demonstrates how you think and work as a designer. This graduation phase culminates in a professional presentation of your complete portfolio—your style, your products, your future.

Focus Areas

Visual design, web and app development, game design, film and video production, 3D modelling, photography, sound design, and interactive media.

Learning Outcomes

You'll develop practical design skills across multiple disciplines, learn to create meaningful digital solutions, understand how design influences the world around you, build professional portfolios, develop personal learning strategies, and gain hands-on experience working with industry partners on real challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is accredited as Excellent by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO), ensuring your degree meets the highest European standards for quality and relevance in the creative industries.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

NHL Stenden's Communication & Multimedia Design programme ranks in the Top 3 of its kind according to Keuzegids Hbo 2025 & 2026, a leading Dutch higher education ranking system.

Additional Advantages

Beyond the classroom, you'll gain international experience through NHL Stenden's participation in RUN-EU, access to Short Advanced Programmes with European partner institutions, and opportunities to study and intern abroad in South Africa, Bali, or Thailand during your third year. You'll also work with experienced lecturers, benefit from a dedicated study coach to map your personal learning path, and complete a valuable internship to launch your career.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, our Bachelor's in Communication & Multimedia Design puts you right in the heart of real-world projects from day one, building hands-on skills in visual storytelling, digital design, and interactive media through our signature Design-Based Education approach. You'll work with industry-standard tools and collaborate in dynamic studios where creativity meets practical application, ensuring you're not just learning theory but creating portfolios that wow employers. This means diving into everything from UI/UX prototyping to multimedia campaigns, all while getting feedback from pros in the field.

Here's what makes our experiential learning stand out—specific facilities, projects, and opportunities tailored to this program:
- Professional design studios and ateliers: State-of-the-art spaces for group projects like developing apps, websites, and animations, blending theory with immediate practice in collaborative teams.
- Industry-standard software and digital tools: Access to Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, and 3D modeling tools like Blender, used in live briefs from real clients to build your technical expertise.
- Mandatory internships: A full semester-long placement in your third year at top creative agencies, media firms, or in-house design teams across the Netherlands or internationally, applying skills on the job.
- Group projects and real-world challenges: Team-based assignments simulating agency workflows, such as pitching multimedia campaigns or redesigning brand identities for live stakeholders.
- Field trips and external collaborations: Visits to design festivals, studios in Amsterdam or Berlin, and partnerships with creative industries for immersive experiences beyond the classroom.
- Dedicated media labs and fabrication facilities: High-tech labs with VR/AR setups, printing presses, and motion capture tech for experimenting with cutting-edge multimedia prototypes.
- NHL Stenden Library and Creative Hub: 24/7 access to specialized design resources, digital archives, and co-working spaces for research and late-night ideation sessions.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At NHL Stenden's Bachelor's in Communication & Multimedia Design, you'll dive right into experiential learning through our unique Design-Based Education approach, tackling real-life assignments from actual companies like film studios, game studios, print agencies, and digital agencies for web and app design. You'll work in small project groups, coached by lecturers and industry pros, building hands-on skills in areas like illustration, animation, photography, video, web design, and game development while using state-of-the-art tools to create impactful solutions. This means you're not just studying theory—you're gaining practical experience that fills your portfolio and preps you for the real world from day one.

Here's how we make it happen with specific program features:
- Group projects on real challenges: Collaborate in teams on assignments from industry partners, such as interactive ad campaigns, VR experiences for mental health, festival apps, or anti-cyberbullying campaigns, honing design research, teamwork, and leadership.
- State-of-the-art tools and software: Work with cutting-edge technology, including design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Blender, and Figma (essential for advanced projects, even in minors like Design Asia).
- Internships for pro experience: Gain practical work placements, with options abroad to build your career edge and international perspective.
- International field trips and exchanges: Join RUN-EU Short Advanced Programmes across Europe, or head to Grand Tour spots in South Africa, Bali, Thailand, or the Design Asia minor in Bangkok for immersive projects in new cultures.
- Personalized coaching: Pair with a study coach for your unique path, blending self-discovery with feedback-driven growth in aesthetics, ethics, and impact.